The shooting happened shortly after 3 p.m. about 100 feet from a fire station within the park.

Police confirmed with KCRA 3 that the homicide started as a gold chain robbery.

Victory Park is home to the Haggin Museum -- and tennis courts and a playground sit near where the shooting took place.

Regulars who go to the park told KCRA 3 they were surprised a shooting would happen in the area.

"I walk this park every day and this is the first time I've ever seen something like this since I've been walking the park," Mike Burkhouse said. "I ride my bike and walk my dog here every day and God blessed I missed it."

The victim was taken to a hospital where police said he died from his wounds.

Stockton police said later that Pina was armed, but did not pull or shoot his gun during the robbery.

Samantha Guthrie heard the gunshot from her kitchen in her home across the street from the park.

Guthrie and her husband rushed to Pina's aid.

"They had the wallet and they went to grab his chain," said Guthrie, recounting what Pina told her. "He said he went to grab his gun to defend himself and that is when they shot him."

The police said Pina was alert and talking to officers as he was taken to the hospital.

They believe he was shot once in the upper torso.

There have been more than 170 gold chain robberies in Stockton since March.

This is the first one ending in death.

No arrests have been made.

The suspects were seen running south on Columbia Avenue and then east on Poplar Street, toward Pershing Avenue, according to a police news release, citing witnesses.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Stockton Police Department at 209-937-8377.